She credits jumping into student government and taking theater classes for helping her become student senate president her senior year.

"The personable environment forces you to be more independent," said Sutherland, who is at the top of her class and plans to attend Washington and Lee University in Virginia in the fall to study journalism.

She plans to try to break into the world of sports journalism with the goal of one day working as an anchor or reporter for ESPN, covering college basketball, college football or maybe tennis.

Sutherland also credits her independent school's curriculum and teachers with readying her for college.

"I think at Seabury, they do a really good job of preparing you for the college environment and the kind of things a college classroom will demand of you," Sutherland said.

Other than student senate, her list of activities and achievements at Seabury is long, including being a standout tennis player.

She played on the varsity boys tennis team until the school formed a girls team.

As a senior leader at the Lawrence independent school, she also has advice for the younger students.

"Don't forget to do your work. Put the time in, and you will get a payoff," she said.